Gea 2000: World Regional Geography
SPRING 2013
GEA 2000: WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
W5:00-7:40 PM
OE # 134
Professor: Dr. Ricardo M. Gonzalez
E-mail:
Office Hours: M – W – F 11:10 AM to 1:00 PM. (by appointment only; call (305) 348-2247).
Department Location:Department of Global & Sociocultural Studies
SIPA # 304
Department Phone: (305) 348-2247
This is an introductory Geography course that studies people and their relationships with the environment. In this course we will survey major regions of the world, study contemporary issues that pertain to each region, and learn conceptual themes that transcend regional boundaries.
The class will offer you with the basic knowledge of the physical environment, political geography, population distribution, economic development, and ways of life in each region we cover. But much of geographical information cannot be contained in any textbook, or covered by any length of lectures. In this class, you will be introduced to some tools for geographical exploration that range from searching for information to critically processing it. You will not be required to memorize trivial facts. Instead, we expect you to understand important concepts and explain processes and ideas that shape a world region.
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the semester:
- Students will demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the world’s human and physical geographic features, institutions, and processes (such as trade, religion, environmental degradation, and migration).
- Students will be able to identify, differentiate between, and apply multiple perspectives (including physical science, social science, and popular perspectives) to critically examine key geographic issues.
- Students will gain the ability to engage in actions that impact local and global processes, by coming to understand their connections to these processes (especially via their location in Miami).
Requirements
- Read the assigned chapters in your textbook before coming to class. Assignments from the text are listed below for each class session.The lectureswill often presume knowledge that the textbook provides.
- Attend class meetings. You are expected to attend class and participate. There will be no role call; it is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet. Please, don’t be late for class. If you have trouble attending, please let me know ahead of time.
- Map quizzes. There will be 5 map quizzes during regular class time. These will be given unannounced starting on the 4th week of classes.
- We will have three exams(non-cumulative).
Textbook
de Blij, Harm J. and Peter O. Muller. 2010. Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts. 14th edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Grading
- Attendance and participation 50 points
- Map quizzes (4) 250 points
- Exam # 1 200 points
- Exam # 2 200 points
- Exam # 3 300 points
TOTAL 1000 points
Class participation:
It is expected that interactive learning and teaching will enrich the learning experience of all students, and that each student will work in partnership with the professor to create a positive learning experience for all. Student engagement is a necessary condition for an effective learning experience, and includes contributions to debate and discussion (if any), positive interactive learning with others, and an enthusiastic attitude towards inquiry. Everyone is expected to be a positive contributor to the class learning community, and students are expected to share the responsibility of teaching each other.
Every student must respect the right of everyone to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students must adhere to a standard of academic conduct, demonstrating respect for themselves, their fellow classmates, and the educational mission of the University.
Class conduct:
Students and instructor in this class are bound by FloridaInternationalUniversity policies on conduct and academic rights and freedoms. Please make sure that you are familiar with the rules and regulations of our campus community.
In order to ensure a positive learning environment, the following behaviors are unacceptable:
- talking out of turn
- carrying out side conversations in class
- chronic tardiness/early departures
- sleeping, reading non-class material
- internet cruising/email/text messaging
Lectures:
Class notes or other materials will be posted on the course webpage.
Make-ups:
There are no make-ups for the map quizzes. All make-up exams (Exam # 1 and Exam # 2) will be given on the day we have Exam # 3(April 17th). No make-ups will be given for the last exam (Exam # 3).
Class communication:
This is a large lecture class and it is important to establish a protocol for student-instructor interaction in order for you to receive timely advice. For questions you can contact the instructor or the teaching assistant. You are welcome to communicate with us through e-mail or to visit us by previously setting an appointment -call the GSS Department to make an appointment (305-348-2247). To make sure that your e-mail does not get buried in the pile of other e-mails I usually receive,on your subject line, please write: “GEA 2000:” to precede your e-mail purpose. I will respond to inquiries within 48 hours.
Cell phones must be off during class. No talking on the phone or texting. Laptop use is permitted for note-taking ONLY; violating the laptop policy means that you will not be allowed to use your laptop in class.
Please let the instructor know if you have any special needs. If you have a disability and need assistance, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Upon contact, the DRC will review your request and contact your professors or other personnel to make arrangements for appropriate modification and/or assistance.
Important Dates
Exam # 1: Wednesday, February6.
Exam # 2: Wednesday, March6.
Exam # 3: Wednesday, April17.
Last day to drop the course with a DR grade: Monday, March18.
Weekly outline (subject to change)
Week # 1 (Jan 9): Introduction / Globalization and diversity
Reading: Introduction chapter
Week # 2 (Jan 16):North America
Reading: Chapter 3
Week # 3 (Jan 23):Middle America
Reading: Chapter 4
Week # 4 (Jan 30):South America
Reading: Chapter 5
Week # 5 (Feb 6): EXAM # 1
Week # 6 (Feb 13): Europe
Reading: Chapter 1
Week # 7 (Feb 20): Sub-Saharan Africa
Reading: 6
Week # 8 (Feb 27): North Africa/South-West Asia
Reading: 7
Week # 9 (Mar 6): EXAM # 2
Week 10 (Mar 13): SPRING BREAK
Week 11 (Mar 20):South Asia
Reading: Chapter 8
Week # 12 (Mar 27): East Asia
Reading: Chapter 9
Week # 13 (Apr 3): Southeast Asia
Reading: Chapter 10
Week # 14 (Apr 10): Australia and New Zealand/The Pacific Realm
Reading: Chapter 11 &12
Week # 15 (Apr 17):EXAM # 3